It may be a smaller affair than usual after MP’s voted against shutting Parliament over its duration but the Conservative Party Conference opens in Manchester this weekend.
Chief Superintendent Wasim Chaudhry, Gold Commander in charge of Policing the Party Conference said:
“The hosting of party conferences brings tens of thousands of visitors to the city, supporting local businesses and the local economy; it is testament to Manchester being an iconic venue for major events.
“GMP, in conjunction with a strong multiagency partnership, has a vast amount of experience in planning and hosting the large security operations needed to successfully manage events such as this.
“Officers will be visible in the city throughout the conference period as part of Operation, and we aim to ensure the event’s security and implement plans to manage any wider impact upon the rest of Manchester.”
Two major protests are scheduled to take place in the city centre on Sunday.
A march organised by the People’s Assembly starts at All Saints Park, with a route that takes in Oxford Road, Chepstow Street, Albion Street, Whitworth Street West and Deansgate, ending with a rally on Victoria Street adjacent to Manchester Cathedral. The march is due to assemble from noon, setting off at 1pm, with the rally taking place from approximately 2 – 4pm.
A second march is being organised by Manchester For Europe and March For Change, with a start point on Oxford Road at Booth Street and a route that takes in Oxford Road, Chepstow Street, Albion Street, Whitworth Street West, Deansgate and Liverpool Road. The march is due to assemble from 2pm, set off at approximately 3pm with a rally at Castlefield Arena from approximately 4 – 5:30pm.
“Sunday 29 September will likely be a busy day in the city centre, because as well as welcoming delegates to the start of the conference, there will also be a number of demonstrations and rallies in Manchester –with tens of thousands of people expected to attend.” adds Chief Superintendent Wasim Chaudhry
“As with many events of this nature, emotions can run high and while everyone has the right to peacefully protest, anyone behaving in a manner which is done to intimidate others or crosses into committing criminal offences will be dealt with appropriately.”
There will be a number of road closures in the City Centre
The roads affected are as follows:-
From Wednesday 25 September 18:00
– Lower Mosley Street inbound (from Great Bridgewater Street to Windmill Street) except for access to Bishopsgate and Manchester Central NCP car park
– Mount Street (between Windmill Street and Peter Street)
– Windmill Street (between Lower Mosley Street and Watson Street)
– Southmill Street (between Windmill Street and Peter Street)
– Museum Street
From Thursday 26 September 18:30
– Peter Street (between Southmill Street and Oxford Street)
– ACCESS ONLY TO: Oxford Street (between Portland Street and Peter Street)
– ACCESS ONLY TO: Hall Street and Bale Street
From Saturday 28 September 18:00
– Peter Street (between Deansgate and Southmill Street)
– Southmill Street (between Windmill Street and Bootle Street)
– Marron Place
– Jerusalem Place
– Lower Mosley Street inbound (from Manchester Central NCP car park and Great Bridgewater Street)
After the conference, the removal of road restrictions will begin Wednesday 2 October (pm) and finish on Friday 4 October.
